Refrigerating apparatus



July 9, 1935. E. c. RANEY 2,007,342

' REFRIGERATING APPARATUS v Filed Feb.- 8, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 9, 1935.

j E. c. RANEY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Feb 8, 1934 ,3- Sheets-Sheet 2 July 9, .1935. E Q RANEY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledFeb. a, 19 4 Patented July 9, 1935 v I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE nurmcnnn'rnvo V arranarus Estel C. Raney, Columbus, Ohio Application February 8,1934, Serial No. 710.266

'1 Claims. (Cl. 62-4) My invention has for its object to provide a response to temperature conditions in the remethod of mounting a thermostatic control in a frlgerator. Fig. 7 is a cross-section of the control refrigerating apparatus. device and illustrates the overload switch mecha- The particular .object of this invention is to nism for automatically opening the circuit when provide a thermostatic control for electrically an excess current flows through the circuit of 5 operated refrigerators having temperature reguthe motor. Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view lating and switch operating means, that is adapted of a modified form of control device. Fig. 9 illusto be mounted on a face plate connected to the trates a view of a section of the control device evaporator of the refrigerating apparatus so that shown in Fig. 8, mounted somewhat differently 10 the evaporator and thermostatic control may be from the manner shown in Fig. 8. 10 handled as a. single unit in the assembly of the The invention described and claimed herein is a refrigerator or in the servicing of the refrigerator division in part of my co-pending application in the field. Serial No. 608,319 filed April 29, 1932.

This invention also provides a'convenient and The control device is provided with a bellows attractive location of the thermostatic control in that communicates through a suitable tube to a 15 the refrigerator as the temperature regulating part of the refrigerating apparatus whose tenfand switch controls of the thermostat extend perature or pressure is determinative of the temthrough the face plate while the body of the perature that istobe maintainedin the refrigerthermostat is concealed by the face plate. An ating chamber of the refrigerator. Thus, the

an attractive name plate may be secured to the exbellows may be connected-with the low pressure posed face of the thermostat which greatly enside of the refrigerating apparatus to produce a han'ces the beauty of the refrigerator thereby pressure within the bellows that varies in accordincreasing the saleability of the refrigerator. ance with the temperature of the chilling unit.

The invention contains other features and ad- Or the bellows and a tube having, if desired, a

vantages that will appear from the following suitable bulb, may contain'an expansible fluid, the 2 description, and upon examination of the drawbulb being connected to the expansion coil of the ings. Structures and apparatus containing the refrigerating apparatus. to produce expansion of invention may partake of different forms and the fluid according to the temperature of the chillmay be varied in their details, and still embody ing unit of the apparatus.

the invention. To illustratea practical applica- As shown in the drawings, the control device 30 tion of the invention, I have selected a refrigeratis adapted to be used in a refrigerating apparatus ing apparatus to which may be connected one or having an evaporator I, a condenser 2, and a cornthe other of the two forms of control devices for pressor 3, operated by .a suitable motor 4. The controlling the temperature produced by the apcontrol device 5 is preferably contained in a segparatus, it being'understood that variations in the mental shell 6, formed of hardened plastic, elec- 35 structure may be' made without departing from trio insulatingmaterial. The part 1 of the shell the spirit of the invention. The particular struc 6 receives an electrical connection 8, connected ture s l ct d is sh wn in h a ompanying to the motor 4- by a suitable flexible insulating drawings, cable 9.

40 1 illustrates a Perspective View of a The control device may be thermically connect- 40 frigerating unit of a refrigerator. Fig. 2 is a ed to the expansion m by means of a bulb front view of a refrigerating unitand illustrates which is connected to a bellows w m the control. a preferred form of control device and means for mechanism by a suitable flexible tube '5; The

- thermically connecting the control device to the bulb may be connected-to the expansion umtby refrigerating-unit. Fig. 3is an enlarged perspecsuitable connect-ion such as a clamp '3 v tive view of the control devicemounted in one The a of h shell 5 has a flahged part position in the refrigerator. Fig. 4 illustrates a l view of a section of the control device shown in at one end which forms Shoulder extend i Fig. 3 mounted in the refrigerator somewhat difmg completely around an and of the Shell- In ferently from the manner shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 mmmt e control device, the end Part is a diagrammatic view of a conventional elecis inserted through suitable opening 22 0f the tricallyoperated refrigerating apparatus. Fig.6 face Plate 23 0f the e p r and S as to be illustrates a cross-section of the control device en d by the shoulder ii. The shell is secured shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and illustrates the switch; o the face plate 23 by means of screws 25, which mechanism for opening and closing the circuit in operate to draw the flanged part l8 against and 55.

in pressing engagement with the rear side of the face plate 23.

To install the control device, the face plate may be removed from the evaporator by removal of suitable connecting screws 26, and one end of the control device may be easily inserted and secured in the opening 22 in the face plate, and, if

' desired, the thermic and electrical connections may then be made. The face plate may then be secured in position on the end'of the evaporator,

the flexible connectors, that is, the tube I and the cable 9, enabling manipulation of the face plate in the installation. To service the control device, the more commonly required adjustments may be made through the end of the shell and f if examination of the entire construction is required, it may be readily disconnected from the apparatus and reassembled as described.

A suitable cover plate 21 is secured to the front part of the shell. It is connected to the bridge 30 of the shell by a suitable screw 3|. The cover plate 21 has an opening 82 adapted to receive the rotatable-element l t-which provides means for manually controlling the operation of the motor. A handle member 36 is rotatively secured to the cover plate 21. It has a hub that extends through an opening 35 formed in the plate and when the cover plate is placed in position, the handle member is readily adjustably connected to means for varying the temperature limits at which the controlling device will open or close,

the circuit of the motor. The handle member it has a suitable pointer 38 which indicates temperature adjustments on a suitable dial it formed on the cover plate 21.

The switch mechanism of the control device illustrated in Figs. 1-7 is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 674,918, and con,- tains a bellows it which responds to the change of pressure communicated to it through the tube or pipe I! thermically connected to the expansion unit. The handle member 38 is connected to'adjusting elements in the switch mechanism, .such as the screw H that is rotatably supported on the base part of the shell and operates to adjust the spring 41 that presses against the bellows to resist its expansion movements. The handle member 36 hasa hub 43, having a serrated recess, and the screw 4! is provided with a fluted end that fits the serrated recess of the hub ll of the handle member. The handle member 30 is secured to the cover plate 21 by a disc 44 and a spring washer 45. The bellows and the spring cooperate to actuate a switch 40 to open and close the circuit in response to the temperature conditions of the refrigerator as determined by adjustment of the screw ll. The user's adjustment of the temperature by the adjustment of the handle 36 is limited within the range ofthe dial on the cover plate by suitable stops, while the screw ll has unlimited adjustment when the cover plate is removed.

The adjustable temperature range as defined by the limitation of movement of the handle member 36 may be raised or lowered by removal of the handle member from the screw by removal of'the cover plate and adjustment of the screw ll and reconnection of the handle member to the screw ii. If it is desired to lower the tempera ture range of the refrigerating apparatus, the pointer 80 may be moved to the limit of its clockwise rotation. The cover plate 21 may then be removed, which disconnects the handle member from the adjusting screw IL- The pointer Il may then be turned counter-clockwise and the plate 21 reconnected to the shell and the handle and pointer to the screw. In this way, the temperature range may be lowered as much as ten degrees, according to the change made in the dial pointer while removed from the adjusting screw.

The temperature range of the refrigerating apparatus may be raised in a similar manner, the dial pointer, however, being turned clockwise after the plate and handle member have been removed from the shell. Thus it will be seen that expert adjustment of the temperature range of the refrigerating apparatus may be readily made by the removal of the cover plate and handle member only, and without disconnecting or dismantling the control device from the evaporator.

The switch mechanism is provided with means for manually opening and closing the circuit of.

the motor and for automatically opening the circuit when an excess current flows through the circuit of the motor. The contact II is supported on a switch arm formed of parts i! and 53 and pivotally connected to the frame 55. The frame I! is biased by a spring I! for longitudinal movement and is normally retkined in position against the tension of the spring 51 by means of the thermically controlled ratchet wheel 5! that may be released by anoverload current flowing through the overload'coil II. In the control device shown inthe drawings, the overload heater coil is readily accessible for replacement. When an overload current flows in the motor circuit, the heat produced in the overload coil heats the pin ii to melt solder that fixedly secures the ratchet wheel 59 against rotation when an overload condition does not exist. When an overload current flows in the motor circuit, the heat produced in the coil ill releases the ratchet, and

the spring 51 shifts the frame 55 and operates the switch arm. In thevv form of construction shown, a finger 83 is connected to the part 52 and rotates the element It, which depresses the part I2 and opens the switch when the frame is shifted. Restoration of the switch to control the current of the motor circuit may be made by rotation of the element 34 when the ratchet wheel connec-. tion has become cooled, to secure the ratchet fixedly. The element 34 engages the finger O3 and shifts the frame 55 ton point to enable a finger U to engage the ratchet 59 while it holds the switch open. When the element 34 is released, the part If rises and enables the switch to close. It will be evident from the construction shown in the drawings that the overload switch is readily accessible for expert. adjustment and replacement of the parts upon mere removal of the face plate.

In the formof construction shown in Fig. 4, the control device mechanism is mounted in a manner somewhat different from'that shown in Figs.

1 and 3. The face plate 23 is provided with a suitable opening 10 and adapted to receive the rotatable element 34 and the handle member a. Thecontrol device is secured to the face plate by means of screws 25 whichoperate to draw the flanged part II towards the rear side of the face plate and press the end of the shell against the face plate. A suitable cover plate I! of sufficient dimension to cover the screws 25 is supported on the face plate and secured to the bridge "of the shell by a suitable screw II.

In assembling the control device, it may be electrically connected to the motor that drives the compressor and thermically connected to the evaporator and the shell containing the switch andbellowsmaybesecuredtothefaceplate.

2,007,342 To mount the control device, the face plate may be removed by removal of the connecting screws 26, and the rotatable element 34 and the handle member 36 may be easily inserted in the opening 10 and the control device may be readily secured to the back of the face plate by the screws 25. The flexible tube l5 and the cable 9 enable. manipulation of the face plate during the installation of the control device. The face plate may then be secured in position on the evaporator and the cover plate 12 may be secured inposition. To service the control device, the more commonly required expert adjustment may be made through the end of the shell upon removal of the cover the switch mechanism is of the type disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 608,319-

and is electrically and thermically connected as described above. The shell 5 has a flanged part 13 extending around the front end of the shell and forming a panel portion I l having a suitable dial [6 which will indicate the temperature adjustments resulting from manipulation of the handle member ll.

The face plate may be readily disconnected from the evaporator by removal of the screws 26 and the control device may be inserted in a suitable opening 22 in the face plate of the evaporator. The control device has a flanged part l3 that may be clamped or secured against the front side of the face plate 23 by means'of screws 25. The thermic and electrical connections may then be made, the flexible tube 55 and cable 9 being provided with suitable connectors that enable ready connection with their associated parts. The flexibility of the connecting tube and cable enable connection and disconnection of the face plate while the control device issecured thereto and while it is connected electrically and thermically to the apparatus. The control device may be readily removed from i the face plate by removal of the screws 25, and

- the shell 6 by screws 25.

the entire construction may be made available by removing the front part it! of the shell from the base :75 by removal of the screw N.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 9,-

the control device is thermically and electrically connected to the refrigerating apparatus as disclosed above. Suitable openings l9 and all are formed in theface plate 23 and are adapted to receive the handle member H and a defrosting and overload reset button M. A cover plate as having openings and 66, adapted to receive the handle member and reset button and having a suitably marked dial is fastened to the face plate 23, and to the flanged part "R3 of the shell 6 by suitable screws 25 which operate to secure the fianged part it and the end of the shell against the rear side of the face plate.

The face plate may be readily disconnected from the evaporator by removal of the connectlng screws 26, and the handle member Ti and the defrosting and overload reset button 8i may readily removed from the face plate by removing the screws 25 and the cover plate 83. If required,

the entire construction is made available by removing the front part of the shell upon removal of the screw 81, as in the arrangement shown in 5 an electrical motor driven compressor, a con- 10 denser, a shell, a face plate attached to one side of the shell, a thermally operated electric switch enclosed within said shell for controlling the operation of the compressor motor and including a member for controlling the operation of l5 said switch, said control member extending through said shell and face plate, and means for mounting said shell on the panel and having said face plate exposed on the front of said panel.

2. In a refrigerator system, a cooling unit, an 20 electric motor driven compressor, a condenser, a panel removably connected to the said cooling unit, the panel having an opening, a shell having I an end part located in the said opening, a thermic control switch located in the shell for controlling 25 the operation of the compressor motor in response to temperatures produced in the cooling unit, and means for clamping a part of the said end of the shell against the rear of the face plate.

3. In a refrigerator system, a refrigerator hav- 30 panel, a switch located in the shell for control- 35 ling the circuit of the motor, a thermic expansion device located in the shell for operating the switch, a flexible cable for connecting the switch to the motor, and a flexible tube for connecting the expansion device to the chilling unit for 40 operating the switch according to the changes in temperature of the chilling unit.

4. In a refrigerating system,- a motor driven compressor, a condenser, and a cooling unit, a

panel removably attached to said cooling unit, 45

an opening in the said panel, a shell having a face part on one end of the shell, a thermic switch for controlling the operation of the compressor motor in response to temperatures produced' in the cooling unit and contained within 5c the shell, means for removably securing the shell to the panel and in the opening to locate the face part of the shell in front of the said panel anl the body of the shell at the rear of the panel.

5. In a refrigerating system, a cooling unit and 55 electric motor driven compressor, a condenser and a cooling unit, a panel removably connected to the said cooling unit, an opening in the said panel, a shell, a thermo-responsive'switch located in the shell for controlling the compressor motor 60 in response to the temperatures produced in the cooling unit, said switch having a control member extending from the shell, and means for securing one end of the shell to the rear of the face plate and the control member extending through 65 the said opening in the panel and accessible for manual manipulation from the front of the panel.

6. In a refrigerating system including an electric motor driven compressor, a condenser, a

cooling unit, a panel removably attached to the 70 cooling unit, a shell, an opening in one end'of the shell, means for removably attaching the shell to the rear of the panel to locate the opening in controlling the operation of the compressor motor in response to the temperatures produced in the cooling unit, a rotatable member for adjusting the switch, a face plate, a dial pointer member rotatably supported on the face plate, the dial pointer having means for adjustably engaging the said rotatable member, and means for securing thesaid face plate over the opening in the said shell and rotatably connecting the dial pointer to the said rotatable member.

"I. In a refrigerating system, a motor driven compressor, a condenser and a cooling. unit, a panel removably attached to the cooling unit, the

of the said parts.

v ESTEL C. RANEY. 

